Music of the Desert

The Ravanahatta is a two-string stick fiddle or bowed violin from Northwest India that religious singers used to accompany their telling of the epic tales of Pabuji, a fourteenth century hero.  The instrument has a wooden body and a small coconut resonator that is covered in goat skin. One of the melody strings is made from horsehair and the other of steel metal. The bow has a number of small bells attached to it that provide the rhythmic accompaniment. It is a unique instrument with a distinctive sound.